2025 BYD Atto 2 Premium Review: Australia’s cheapest compact electric SUV is going to be tough competition for both EVs and ICE … and not just because of the price
BYD Australia is going to make a big statement when it comes to electric vehicle pricing when it launches the 2025 BYD Atto 1 city car and 2025 BYD Atto 2 compact SUV in November.
The Atto 1 could be priced at or below $25,000 as a starting price, making it the cheapest new EV ever sold in Australia. We’ve covered off that story here:
The Atto 2 won’t be as cheap, but it will be Australia’s cheapest electric SUV, which means it could attract a lot more buyer interest than the tiny Atto 1.
Well, we’ve had a chance to briefly sample the Atto 2 and so far so good.
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2025 BYD Atto 2 Premium price and equipment
As we’ve previously reported the 2025 BYD Atto 2 in the cheaper Dynamic specification is expected to be priced at $35,000 (plus on-road costs most likely) or even below, making it Australia’s cheapest electric SUV when it goes on-sale.
It’s also going to give plenty of ICE small SUVs a run for their money too.
What we’re getting here is a short preview drive at the Lang Lang proving ground of the flagship Atto 2 Premium, which should be priced around $40,000, or where the larger and older range of Atto 3 SUVs kicks off.
Both Atto 2s will power their front wheels via a 130kW/290Nm permanent magnet synchronous e-motor fuelled by a 51.13kWh Blade LFP battery pack.
The official range is given at 345km (WLTP), the recharging rate is a slow 82kW and WLTP combined consumption average is a TBA, but likely to sit around 15-17kWh/100km. At Lang Lang the trip computer average was sitting on 22.8kWh/100km, which was a bit higher than expected.
The Atto 2 accelerates from 0-100km/h in a claimed 7.9 seconds.
Measuring up at 4310mm long – 155mm shorter than the Atto 3 – and sitting on a 2620mm wheelbase, the Atto 2 employs BYD’s e-Platform 3.0 and is supported by an orthodox combination of MacPherson strut front- and torsion beam rear-suspension.
BYD Australia has only outlined the Premium’s equipment list, which includes a 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen, an 8.8-inch digital instrument panel, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, eight-speaker audio, powered, heated and ventilated front seats trimmed in synthetic leather, a 50kW wireless phone charger and 17-inch alloy wheels. The Dynamic will roll on 16s.
Our test car came fitted with a panoramic sunroof.
Safety gear includes a 360-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors and the usual slew of BYD driving assistants including autonomous emergency braking, intelligent cruise control, lane keeping, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.
2025 BYD Atto 2 Premium: What we think
BYD has two design themes across its enormous range of vehicles (of which we see an expanding selection in Australia). The 2025 BYD Atto 2 is based on the Dynasty theme (the other one is Ocean). So the front-end is meant to look like a dragon face. The air vents are its whiskers.
At the back the tail-light design pays tribute to ancient Chinese skill of knot tying. This particular knot denotes fortune and luck – good fortune and luck hopefully.
All-up, it’s a neat and tidy look. Inside, it’s pretty conservatively presented, albeit with its gear selector moved to the steering column. It’s also trimmed in good-looking materials that bely its price.
The big deal inside considering its small size is the amount of room. The floor seems slightly high, likely because of the battery sitting under it, and as a result rear seat passengers are bit knees-up. Smaller people might also find the window line a bit high to see out of.
But the space is generous and two taller people will fit in row two. That’s important, because cabin size defines whether these compact SUVs qualify as family transport or not. This one gets a pass mark.
There is also plenty of storage (three map pockets on each seatback) and amenities in the rear including an adjustable air-con vent, USC-A and USB-C ports and even proper door hand-grabs.
The boot has a high lip to negotiate but also has a deep well under the floor (no spare tyre). The claims are 380 litres expanding to as much as 1320 litres when the rear seats are split-folded.
Up-front the sizable single-piece bucket seats provide solid support and the flat bottom steering wheel adjusts for reach and rake. Unlike the Atto 1 there was enough seat adjustment for me (180cm tall) to sit low enough and far enough back.
The instant nature of e-motor acceleration means the Atto 2 will be excellent for the cut and thrust of city and urban traffic. It really will leave ICE rivals revving noisily in its wake. That 7.9 second claim is more than believable.
Its compact size is another asset in town. It steers quickly and lightly (there are modes to change weighting), brakes promptly and the ride is tuned for slower speed driving, soaking up the rougher stuff.
As speed builds the Atto 2 feels less at home, tending to be a bit soft and rolly. It will also wheelspin and chirp the front tyres if you’re a bit exuberant with the throttle. BYD says the tune is representative of what will launch in Australia.
Add in the middling range and slow DC charging speed and it’s pretty obvious the Atto 2 will be most comfortable on school runs, commutes and hanging around the big smoke. Hey, it’s where EVs do their best work.
Having said all that it certainly feels more composed and resolved than the Atto 3 did when it first arrived in 2022.
2025 BYD Atto 2 Premium: Verdict
Given its combination of pricing, practicality and performance it would not surprise if the 2025 BYD Atto 2 was a hit with Aussie compact SUV buyers willing to take the punt on an EV.
Our first taste was brief and in controlled circumstances but there was enough promise hinted at here to suggest BYD’s got another potential winner on its hands.
SCORE: 4/5
2025 BYD Atto 2 Premium specifications
Price: $40,000 (estimate)
Basics: EV , 5 seats, 5 doors, compact SUV
Range: 345km (WLTP)
Battery capacity: 51.13kWh lithium-ion
Battery warranty: 8 years/160,000km (we think)
Energy consumption: 15-17kWh/100km (est)
Motors: 1 front, 130kW/290Nm.
AC charging: 7kW, Type 2 plug
DC charging: 82kW, CCS combo plug
0-100km/h: 7.9 seconds
